Vascularized fibular periosteal graft: a new technique to enhance bone union in children

Autor: Diego Collado, Francisco Soldado, Alfonso Rodríguez-Baeza, Ignasi Barber, Cesar G. Fontecha, Roberto Vélez, Manel Llusa, Vicens Martinez-Ibañez
Rok vydání: 2012
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of pediatric orthopedics. 32(3)
ISSN: 1539-2570
Popis: Background: The periosteum in children has strong osteogenic power and is quite thick, facilitating procurement. However, it has been rarely used as a vascularized flap to enhance bone union in this age range. The purpose of this study is to assess the e! ectiveness of a new vascularized periosteal flap harvested from the fibula for the enhancement of bone union in the pediatric age. Methods: Thirteen vascularized fibular periosteal grafts were used in 12 children, mean age 12.6 years. Indications included the prevention of bone allograft-host junction nonunion and treatment of recalcitrant bone nonunion. In 9 instances, the periosteal flap was harvested as a free flap and in 4 as a pedicled flap. Serial radiographs and computed tomography scans were used to evaluate the progression of callus formation and bone healing. Results: All flaps were successful in promoting bone healing and achieving bone union in a mean time of 2.8 months for metaphyseal junctions and 7.1 months for diaphyseal ones, except for 1 case, which initially failed due to a pedicle torsion. It was then resolved with a second vascularized fibular periosteal grafts, with complete union after 5 months. Conclusions: Transfer of a vascularized fibular periosteal flap, either pedicled or as a free flap, is an e! ective treatment to enhance bone union in children in biologically unfavorable scenarios. The properties of periosteal tissue in the pediatric age are unique and its use in bone union enhancement permits new reconstructive strategies in children di! erent from those described in adults. Level of Evidence: IV.
Databáze: OpenAIRE